Grand Seiko Spring Drive SLGA009 “White Birch”
Cover Grand Seiko Spring Drive SLGA009 “White Birch”

A new interpretation of an already familiar motif, this time powered by a Spring Drive calibre

Grand Seiko watches often pay tribute to the splendour of nature surrounding the studios where they are made. Mount Iwate. Lake Suwa. Mishaka Pond. These landmarks have all inspired various Grand Seiko creations over the years. One recent highlight was the SLGH005 “White Birch”, which won the Men’s Watch prize at the 2021 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Powered by Grand Seiko’s next-generation hi-beat mechanical movement, the timepiece featured a patterned dial that referenced the slender white birch trees of Japan’s Hiraniwa Plateau. This year, the brand has followed up with the SLGA009 “White Birch”, a new watch that reinterprets the same motif for a new look—while being driven by Grand Seiko’s signature Spring Drive movement to boot.

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Grand Seiko Spring Drive SLGA009 “White Birch”

The new SLGA009 “White Birch” is a fairly minimal time-and-date watch cased in stainless steel like its predecessor. This gives it ample space to showcase the textured white dial, which anchors the watch visually. Against this canvas, various other minutiae are on display. Note the blued seconds hand, for instance, and how it glides perfectly smoothly around the dial thanks to the watch’s Caliber 9RA2 Spring Drive movement.

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Grand Seiko Spring Drive SLGA009 “White Birch” case back

In much the same way, Grand Seiko’s superlative attention to details can also be observed by flipping the watch around. The movement’s decorations are of particular interest, with a frosted finish on the various components, each rimmed with perfectly chamfered bevels. These in turn are all framed by the slim, perfectly proportioned case, which measures 40 millimetres across and 11.8 millimetres tall.

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Grand Seiko Spring Drive SLGA009 “White Birch”

Beyond just the above design and technical features, the SLGA009 “White Birch” is also noteworthy for showcasing the brand’s new “Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Style”. Consider this a step forward from the iconic Grand Seiko Style and its Grammar of Design that was first established in 1967 with the 44GS watch.

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Grand Seiko SLGA009 SLGH005 “White Birch”
Above Grand Seiko SLGH005 (left) and SLGA009 (right), both showcasing the new Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Style

The Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Style comprises three major updates. The first involves aesthetics. Brushed surfaces now play a more prominent role to act as counterpoints to the Zaratsu polished facets on each case. By playing with light and darkness this way, Grand Seiko watches now reflect the Japanese sense of aesthetics—which prizes balance and subtlety—even more closely than before.

Legibility has also been tweaked. The indices, for example, now have deep grooves to create contrast, while the minute and hour hands have also been redesigned to further differentiate them from each other.

Finally, wearability has also improved. The cases for Grand Seiko’s watches have been reworked to lower each one’s centre of gravity, while also expanding the lug spacing for wider bracelets. The overall effect isn’t just better comfort, but also a greater sense of stability.

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Grand Seiko Spring Drive SLGA009 “White Birch”

With the new SLGA009 “White Birch”, Grand Seiko is firmly embarking on the next chapter in its watches’ evolution. This timepiece is available at Grand Seiko boutiques and select retail stores worldwide.

Available in Singapore at Seiko boutiques (JEM/Takashimaya S.C./VivoCity) and authorised retailers. For more information, visit seikoboutique.com.sg

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